Question (Q-26):
Where should a person who is performing Salāh place his hands in Rukū’ and Qa’dah, and when getting up from the second Rak’ah?
Answer:
In Rukū’, a person performing Salāh should place his hands on his knees,
يعتمد بيديه علي رکبتيه کذا في الهداية
In Qa’dah (sitting position), he should place his hands on his thighs and spread out his fingers,
ووضع يديه علي فخديه و بسط اصابعه کذا في الهداية و کنزالدقائق
As he rises from the second Rak’ah (unit), he should place his hands on his thighs and rise by lifting his knees from the ground without placing his hands on the ground.
It is stated in a Hadīth of Sunan Abī Dawūd,
وإذا نهض نهض علي رکبتيه واعتمد علي فخديه
“And when he rises, he should rise upon his knees and he should be leaning against his thighs.”
It is stated in Al-Bahr Ar Rāiq,
إنما يعتمد علي رکبتيه هکذا في المحيط
“He should only lean against his knees. This is what is stated in Al Muhīt.”
The way to bring conformity between the two statements in relation to leaning against the knees and the thighs is that his fingers should be on his knees and his palms should be on his thighs. However, Al Imām Ash Shāfi’ī (رحمه الله) believes that the person performing Salāh should place his hands on the ground when getting up from the second Rak’ah.
When he is going into Sajdah, the person performing Salāh should place his hands on his thighs because this is easy and will allow the knees to touch the ground first, which is preferred (Mustahab);
فيضع رکبتيه أولاً ثم يديه الخ
“He should place his knees first then his hands…” (Al Fatāwā Al Hindiyyah, Volume 1, Page 83)
Allah (تعالى) Knows Best.
Written by Muftī Shamsulhudā Khān Misbāhī (Allah preserve him)
